Leland Homer Gentry

Today, August 6, 2007, I was released from a 35-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis to a heavenly sphere where I can now move about freely and join many loved ones who have gone on before me. I was born in Charlo, Montana on 30 August, 1932, the first of five children born to Leland Henry Gentry and Cleone Homer Gentry. I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, graduated from South High School and the University of Utah and later received a Ph.D. from Brigham Young University.

From an early age, I developed a love for genealogy research and eventually traced the Gentry family line back to the original immigrant. I love the Savior and have a strong testimony of His gospel. After serving a mission in the Central States for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was drafted into the U.S. Army and served most of my tour of duty as a Chaplain's Assistant at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

On 25 May 1956 I was married to my eternal companion, Myrna Miller, in the Salt Lake Temple, with Elder Harold B. Lee officiating. Over the years, we were blessed with five wonderful children.

I was called to serve in many church capacities, including bishop's counselor, member of two high councils and counselor in a stake presidency. My great love was teaching and I began my career with the Church Education System as a young principal of the Tooele Seminary. A short time later, our little family traveled to Ithaca, NY, where I opened the first seminary and institute east of the Mississippi. Other teaching assignments included four years at the Institute of Religion in Cedar City, UT, seven years at the Institute of Religion in Logan, UT, a short time at the CES central office in Salt Lake City, UT and then at the Institute of Religion in Salt Lake City, until retirement. We made many wonderful friendships over the years, for which we are very grateful.

Through our association with the Church Education System, Myrna and I were blessed to make several trips to the Holy Land and the Mid-eastern area, first on a 10-week Sabbatical and later as tour guides for seminary/institute teachers and students. We also enjoyed directing several Church and American History tours and met many wonderful people on these occasions.

I was preceded in death by my parents, a daughter (Debra Lynn Cheney), granddaughter, (Candice Cheney) and grandson, (Kevin Gentry), as well as two brothers, (Frank and Robin), and a niece and two nephews. I leave behind my loving wife of 51 years, sons Brian (Diana) and Steven (Marinda), daughters Christine Bladen (Kent) and Janae Sanders (Mark), a brother, Ricky, and sister Jolene Wangsgard (Deon); 36 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, an uncle and aunt (Jack and Shirley Homer), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00a.m. Friday, August 10th, at the River Ridge 7th Ward, 10200 South 1300 West, South Jordan, UT. Friends may call Thursday evening from 7:00-9:00pm at Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East in Salt Lake City, UT (additional parking in Red Hanger parking lot) and at the church from 9:45-10:45a.m. prior to services. Interment will take place at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.holbrookmortuary.com. Many thanks to Rocky Mountain Home Care and to all who have given care to Leland over the years.

He will be greatly missed by his family and by those whose lives he touched throughout the years.